By ELYSE BETTERS
Contributing Writer
and ANDREA VANVALKENBURG
Staff Writer

SPECIAL REPORT
View a special report on the inauguration of Barack Obama including:

   Several additional articles with local views, reactions.
   Live video of the inauguration events beginning at 10 a.m.
   An historical view of past inaugurations.

PLATTSBURGH — The nation has a new first lady, and North Country residents hope she will improve the country while bringing class and elegance back into the White House.

“The first lady role is an odd one, to be sure,” said Lynda Ames of Port Kent. “It’s clearly subordinate to her husband’s role, the presidency, but with much publicity and a bully pulpit of her own.”

INFLUENCE
Ames said Michelle Obama has had a high-powered career, and she considers the new first lady to be a smart and strong woman, capable of making many positive changes throughout the country.

“She is in a position to speak about the difficulties of working families and to find ways to make it easier for men and women to participate fully in both family life and careers.”

Ames also said Michelle should concentrate on the importance of education for children, especially girls throughout the nation and world.

“She has said how important it is for her girls to be comfortable in their school and new home,” Ames said. “It should be that way for all the world’s children.”

ORIGINAL
J.W. Wiley, director of the Center for Diversity, Pluralism and Inclusion at Plattsburgh State, said Tuesday was the first day in many years that he placed his hand over his heart and sang along with the national anthem.

“It was an amazing day. I was elated.”

He is expecting Obama to lead the nation into a better place and time, and he believes Michelle will be a huge part of the process.

“Michelle is an original first lady for many reasons — probably a combination of her style, race, intellect and even her height. She just stands out.”

Wiley said her iconic presence will help her to guide the nation, support her husband and improve the country.

“Michelle is so bright. She doesn’t seem like a shrinking violet. I think we have already heard a lot from her, but through Barack. Michelle is there, in the background, whispering and helping her husband make the decisions.”

ELEGANCE
Carol Landry of Westville agreed with Ames and predicted Michelle will have a focus on education for young women and men everywhere.

“I think Michelle will favor education because she, herself, is an educated woman, and she probably encourages her daughters to be the same way.”

Landry also thinks Michelle will bring an era of elegance to the White House that has not been seen in decades.

Landry noted the lemongrass-yellow coat and matching dress that Michelle wore to the presidential inauguration on Tuesday and said it was a sign of better times ahead.

“It was a beautiful dress, very appropriate,” Landry said. “It brightened the day and seemed to reassure the people that brighter days are on the horizon.”

IMAGE
Dr. Lauren Eastwood, a sociology professor at Plattsburgh State, is impressed with the new first lady’s cultural iconic status. She thinks the impact of Michelle’s image is interesting on a social level.

“I know (conservative columnist) Anne Coulter has been critical of Michelle and often compares her to the iconic Jackie O.,” Eastwood said, referring to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“I think focusing on her clothes or how she acts in public is sexist, because Michelle is a very intelligent woman, and we should be focusing on her abilities instead.”

Eastwood said the Obamas will have a lot of work ahead, especially in education.

She admitted education is not an area of expertise for Michelle, but she said the first lady has the credentials and mind-set to improve policies already in place.

“No Child Left Behind (the federal education law) is very problematic,” she said.

“I’d like to see Michelle change some of the misguided policies in education through critical thinking and proper funding.”

CHANCE TO LEAD
Kathleen Hazel of Plattsburgh said Michelle’s public image is going to bring “a lot of exuberance, poise and self-confidence to the White House.

“I think she’s going to be a great leader for women, whatever nationality they are. She’s very active, educated and dedicated to her family. I think that family is just going to do wonders for our country.”

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) agrees and said the first lady’s intelligence, professionalism and personality will make her a “valuable part of the administration.

“I think she’s going to have a very active role, as she should,” said Duprey, who applauded the Obamas for arranging to have the first lady’s mother move into the White House to help provide balance for their two young daughters amid the hectic political arena.

“I think they’re going to set tremendous standards for family values and family life, lessons that young couples need to see and look up to.”

FAMILY CIRCLE
Plattsburgh City Councilor Amy Valentine had similar thoughts and said Barack’s daughters will bring “a sense of love and family to the White House.

“There’s this whole sense that there will be a complete circle of fellowship and family there.”

Overall, it seems the citizens of the North Country are proud of the new first lady and hopeful she will use her intelligence to improve the nation as a whole.

“I’m sure Michelle’s going to be very important to Barack with his decision making,” Valentine said.

“Somebody with her intellectual prowess isn’t going to sit back and be passive. She’s going to pursue her own endeavors and fulfill her own self worth.